Teams never need extra incentive when preparing for a new season — but here it is.
Last year, Davie County’s varsity girls basketball team rode a magic carpet past unbeaten North Rowan to win the Sam Moir Christmas Classic and ultimately nail down its first winning record in five years at 14-12.
But these pride-restoring accomplishments became mired in disappointment when Davie lost to 0-15 West Forsyth and dropped seven of its last 10 games, tumbling to the fourth seed in the Central Piedmont Conference tournament.
“They know they didn’t finish the season as tough as they started it,” said coach Carol
Cozart, in her fifth season. “They want to make sure they go all the way through this year.
“Whenever we’re not going at a pace I want, all I have to do is ask, ‘Now, what was the score in that West Forsyth game?’ And that will do it in a heartbeat. So I feel like they’re highly motivated.”
Although the War Eagles haven’t finished higher than third in the CPCrace since 1996, they have managed to top the previous year’s win total in each of the last three years — from 4-18 to 8-14 to 10-15 to 14-12.
Eight of the 12 players from last winter are back to take care of the unfinished business, including three seniors — Ashley Williams, Lauren Cornatzer and Sarah Merlau — who are starting their third year on varsity.
The other five returners include senior, Sara Erb and juniors Brittany Walker, Sarah Williams, Heather McDaniel and Dawn Singleton.
Kendra Long, a transfer from Forbush, and sophomores Kierston Kahrs and Allison Schafer round out the roster.
Walker averaged a team-high 11 points last year and was the Moir MVP after a 57-point, 20-assist, 16-rebound effort in three games. She was also 26-of-33 from the foul line in those games and truly impressed the thousands of fans watching her for the first time.
Her passing was slick — almost too slick. Last year, she surprised her teammates as plenty of potential layups turned into turnovers.
“Her passes kind of exceeded the grasp of some of their abilities,” Cozart said. “They weren’t used to those kinds of passes. But by the end of the season, they were prepared to catch it and that’s going to be a big factor.
“To her, passing and ballhandling is an art form.”
Sarah Williams averaged 5.9 points but hit double figures seven times.
“The spot-up three and the way she can wiggle in and out of traffic are her strong points,” Cozart said. “She has such good hands and long arms.”
Ashley Williams showed signs of brilliance last year as well.
“When Ashley gets motivated, you see her head above everybody else’s and it doesn’t matter how tall they are,” Cozart said. “She makes big defensive plays, her offense is picking up and her 10-to-15-foot jump shot looks good.”
Singleton averaged 3.5 points and that should definitely increase. She blocked at least four shots in six games. Cozart remembers one early scrimmage this year.
“She had about four straight rebounds. Itold her if the ball had been an apple, it would’ve been applesauce — that’s how hard she was squeezing the ball. She has as good of instincts with the ball as any kid I’ve ever seen in the post.”
Cozart already sees Cornatzer improving her scoring. “The intangibles of always knowing where to be, that’s the kind of player she is,” the coach said.
Coming off a 15-5 jayvee team are Schafer and Kahrs, both of whom averaged 10 points.
“(Schafer’s ) going to figure into this thing too,” Cozart said. “She’s tall, she’s quick and has good court eyes. She loves to practice, she loves to shoot, she loves to do anything that has to do with basketball.”
Erb is a three-point specialist. Merlau is expected to make contributions. McDaniel was last year’s most improved player.
With its returning players, Davie should be one of the CPCcontenders this season. The players should recognize that fact. And if they forget how talented they can be, Cozart will simply remind them by uttering two little ol’ words: West Forsyth.
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Brian Pitts is the sports editor of the Davie County Enterprise-Record.
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